Play Today

Over the summer, we challenged parents across the country to visit as many playgrounds as they could—and to share photos using our Tag! mobile app. Of the 65 moms and dads who rose to the Challenge, four went above and beyond, each earning themselves a trip for two to Washington, DC!

Our four Grand Prize Winners visited a collective total of 727 playgrounds in six weeks and took 2,713 photos! Now, a drum roll please for:

Alex Nguyen

Kenmore, Wa.
Earned 163,680 points and took 700 photos

Best part of Challenge: “It gets your family moving! Seriously,I lost 9 lbs doing the Playground Challenge, and that doing nothing special except being outside and chasing after my kids!”

What makes a good playground: "I look for a sense of community in a playground. I like it when I bring my 4yo and 7yo to a skate park, and the teenagers let them take turns, and check themselves... I also like seeing people of all ages at the park, from older people practicing tai chi or playing chess, and answering questions from my kids, to the teen agers, to the parents of kids like myself."

Funniest thing overheard at the playground: "I was climbing up to get a picture of my oldest. Another kid already there looked at me and in all seriousness went, 'Is this thing going to break now?' I told him no, playgrounds were made for adults, who are just big kids too. He then went on to exclaim, 'REALLY?' and was happy that I didn't break the playground."

Dana Wheatley

Calgary, A.B.
Earned 96,550 points and took 456 photos

Best part of Challenge: “You can do something great for your community, while having a blast with your kids and learning about your city all at the same time!”

What makes a good playground: "I think shade is the most forgotten element that takes a good playground up to a great one. Location is also important. I think they are best when people can see that they are there and that people are playing there. And with green space around it instead of crammed by a school, parking lot and tarmac."

Benefits of playground-going: "[My son] had been dropping his naps (he's 3) but we've been really wearing him out in the playgrounds so he's started napping most days again. I told him that when we got home it would be time for his quiet time. He yells, 'No! I want a nap!'"

Annie Cheng

San Francisco, Calif.
Earned 78,730 points and took 833 photos

Best part of Challenge: “You get to explore so many playground you would otherwise miss. We used to go to the same ones all the time. Now after the Challenge, we found so many fun places to go.”

What makes a good playground: "My favorites have always been those with lots of trees, shade and trails for riding bikes. Bonus: if the playground has great view!! We have some here on top of the hill or on higher parts of the city, and it's such a pleasure to be at those playgrounds."

Sara Russell

Waterville, Me.
Earned 70,945 points and took 724 photos

Best part of Challenge: "IT PAYS TO PLAY! Your children will benefit from fresh air, socializing, learning about their community and exercising. You will benefit for all the same reasons + tired kids = earlier bedtimes."

What makes a good playground: "A good playground is a playground with some seated shade, green grass and plenty of equipment to climb on. Steps, shaking bridges, and rock walls allow for some risk-taking, bravery and adventure."

Inspired? The Challenge goes on this Fall. Take photos of the playgrounds you visit and be entered to win gift cards for toys, outdoor gear, ice cream and more in our biweekly sweepstakes. The more playgrounds you visit, the better chance you have to win! Download our Tag! app to join:iPhone | Android

Over the summer, we challenged parents across the country to visit as many playgrounds as they could -- and to document them on our Map of Play. Sixty-five moms and dads rose to the Challenge with gusto (and earned some cool prizes along the way)! See the impressive results below.

Inspired to join? The summer may be over, but the Challenge goes on! Visit our Map of Play for details.

Over the past few weeks, two Ohio parents have become Internet celebrities for the 12-foot-high roller coaster they built for their kids out of PVC pipe. We are duly impressed. Though we build nearly 200 playgrounds a year, we have yet to build a roller coaster.

Do you know what's even more impressive? In California, a group of tweens and teens are building their own roller coaster at Gever Tulley's Tinkering School. That means they not only get to experience the thrill of the ride, but are also learning valuable construction and engineering lessons along the way.

It's time to stand up for sidewalk chalk! On Tuesday, August 21, join Chalk the Walks, a national annual event, to spread joy through this wonderful, whimsical -- and did we mention, washable?! -- medium.

Chalk the walks with your neighbors and friends -- and remember, sidewalk chalk isn't just for kids! Here's some inspiration to get your juices flowing:

Our Summer Playground Challenge just drew to a close, during which over 60 parents explored local playgrounds with their kids, adding over 4,000 new photos to our Map of Play! We asked our newly minted play experts what it is that distinguishes a good playground from a great one.

From their many thoughtful responses, we’ve culled the 5 C’s of a great playground:

1. Creative

Many post-and-platform playgrounds offer the same play options over and over again. A great playground offers something new.

“I like playgrounds that offer interesting options to play on. Clambering up huge tires versus a wall or having a four person teeter-totter as opposed to two changes things up a little.” – Fezeka Saige

2. Comfortable

A great playground offers simple amenities that keep parents and kids playing longer.

“Shade and water fountains are a must! Children usually want to play during the afternoon but with the sun many times it’s not possible. Clean water fountains are also extremely important since kids finish exhausted after so much play.” – Alicia Vazquez

3. Communal

A great playground isn’t just for kids. It’s a gathering space for an entire community, from tots to teens to grandparents.

“I look for a sense of community in a playground. I also like seeing people of all ages... from older people practicing tai chi or playing chess and answering questions from my kids, to the teenagers, to the parents of kids like myself.” – Alex Nguyen

4. Conspicuous

A playground that’s hard to find risks being underutilized. A visible playground teeming with children inspires passersby to stop and play!

I think [playgrounds] are best when people can see that they are there and that people are playing there. – Dana Wheatley

5. Connected

We know that play is not limited to the playground! A great playground is connected to other play opportunities, particularly green space or other natural elements.

“My favorites have always been those with lots of trees… and trails for riding bikes. Bonus: if the playground has great view!! We have some here on top of the hill or on higher parts of the city, and it's such a pleasure to be at those playgrounds.” - Annie

Waterparks are tons of fun, but often expensive and out-of-the-way. Why not cool off downtown, for free? Everyone loves the hypnotic aesthetic appeal of a fountain, but what's even better than admiring a fountain is playing in one!

“When you are a kid you get to ride bikes, scooters, play with toys and use your imagination. You don’t have to go to work or do all the things old people do.” These are wise words from Caine, the boy who became an Internet sensation for his cardboard arcade and who recently reflected on growing older for his 10th birthday.

While we hope that adults still find time to play, Caine is right that childhood is a particularly opportune time to explore, discover, and create. The good news is that at age 10, he still has a few years before officially making the transition from “child” to “adolescent,” and we hope he makes the most of them!

To help him out, we’ve created a bucket list of things every kid should do before turning 13. Of course, we could go on and on, but here (in no particular order) are 23 things we consider essential. What would you add?

Let the games begin! Since our brave Playground Challengers are spending quite a bit of time playing this summer, we asked them what Olympic events their kids would rock... if the Olympics were held at the playground.

Here are five of our favorite new Playground Olympic events -- plus one event we hope your kids don't champion!

In which of the following would your kids take home the Gold? Got any new Playground Olympic events to add to our list?

"Both my kids would get a gold medal in giving their mom a heart attack! How do they both manage to find the ONE thing that makes me sprint like a maniac?" - Amy Keyishian (Photo by Eric Lewis, cc)

"My youngest, who is six, would win the 'I have no fear so I disappear' playground event. You have to keep an eye on this one, she's quick!" - Myrdin Thompson (Photo by W2 a-w-f-i-l, cc)

"My six year old said she would beat any kid at running while hula hooping on the playground." - Elizabeth Bonin (Photo by Steven Depolo, cc)

"My almost three and four year old do endurance - they are two-hours-in-the-sandbox kind of players." - Angelika Paul (Photo by Alec Couros, cc)

"If there was a 'hot lava' competition where my kids didn't have to touch the playground floor? They'd totally own that." - Alex Nguyen (Photo by Nate McBean, cc)

"Oldest son? He's back at the house participating in the Summer Couch Olympics. So far he has a gold medal in eating an entire bag of goldfish crackers in one sitting." - Myrdin Thompson

Do you have Olympic fever? We do. After all, the Olympics encapsulates many of the elements that make outdoor play so critical: teamwork, skill development, challenge, and fitness, to name just a few.

This Saturday, July 28, As First Lady Michelle Obama leads the U.S. Delegation to the 2012 Olympic Games, she’s calling on families around the country to support Team USA, not just by cheering on our athletes, but also by organizing their own Olympic Fun Days.

Since we can’t think of any more fitting place to hold your own Olympics than at the playground, here are five Olympic-inspired playground games:

Slide shotput: Place a bucket at the bottom of a slide. Competitors must each “put” five tennis balls down the slide. The one who gets the most in the bucket wins the gold.

Monkey relay: Divide into teams and hold relay races across the monkey bars. To discourage recklessness, competitors must balance something on their heads—may we suggest a stuffed monkey? If the monkey falls off, the contestant must start over.

Synchronized swinging: Teams swing together for 30 seconds each. A panel of judges determines which team is the most synchronized.

Long swing jump: This one is already a classic playground favorite—who can jump the farthest off the swing?

Playground ping-pong: Teams of two volley a ping-pong ball across various pieces of playground equipment, like slides, swingsets, monkey bars, and jungle gyms. The team who can keep the ball going the longest wins. Particularly recommended for teens and tweens!

Find an Olympic Fun Day near you, or organize your own at Meetup.com. What are your ideas for Olympic playground games? Please share in the Comments section below!

As you may know, we at KaBOOM! are big fans of ice cream -- and it's not just because we were the first nonprofit to have its own Ben & Jerry's flavor. Ice cream, in moderation, brings joy to children's lives. And it is best relished outside, after a day full of outdoor play.

So of course we were excited to learn that July is National Ice Cream Month! Why not pay homage to this exquisitlely frosty treat by making your own? You don't need any fancy equipment -- just ice, salt, tape, and a coffee can.

The best part? Your kids can get a healthy dose of outdoor play while they're at it. Here's how: